A DISTURBED man armed himself with a kitchen knife and slashed his neck outside a police station.

Michael Fox almost killed himself when he severed an artery and spent 18 days in hospital recovering after the incident in Canterbury.

After he was released from hospital, Fox appeared before Canterbury magistrates.

The 22-year-old, of Heaton Road, Wincheap, admitted using threatening behaviour and possessing a bladed weapon.

Dee Moore, prosecuting, said that on December 3 an officer became aware of Fox as he was leaving the station in a patrol car.

Fox was standing opposite the gate and suddenly produced the kitchen knife and clenched it in his left hand.

"The officer thought he was going to attack or him or other officers," Mrs Moore said.

Fox then unzipped his top and ran the knife across his chest.

The officer armed himself with pepper spray and ordered Fox to put the knife down. He was joined by another policeman and they sprayed the knifeman. Fox then drew the knife across his throat.

Mrs Moore went on: "The officers over-powered him. It became obvious that he had sustained a serious cut to his throat. Blood was pumping from his neck, officers were fighting to save his life and an ambulance arrived."

When he was interviewed by police, Fox said that he could not remember what had happened. He said that he had been drinking in the King William IV pub in the city and at the Anchor in Littlebourne.

Patrick Cuffe, defending, described Fox as a "disturbed young man".

"But he is not a violent man," he added. "Anyone who saw him would have felt severely threatened by him, but there were no direct threats.

"This is a young man with serious problems, but who has the support of his family, and psychiatric help is on hand. He was extremely drunk when this happened, but has been alcohol free since the incident."

The case was adjourned until February 2.